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#14 University Library and Lincoln Exhibit

Because the college’s early records were destroyed when the Rock House burned at the turn of the 20th century, University Libraries have limited records of the early days of Virginia Tech and the land-grant college in its Special Collections department. One historical record documents a series of letters written from Professor Graham of the early Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College to the Honorable Justin Morrill, writer of the act that established the land-grant colleges. In the letters, Professor Graham asked Senator Morrill whether the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College had followed the spirit of the act that Morrill had written. Senator Morrill assured Professor Graham that a land-grant college was established to not only teach its students, who came from humble beginnings, agriculture and mechanics in a practical manner, but all subjects necessary to give its graduates a well-rounded education including the humanities and the arts. Today, we celebrate the Morrill Act with displays in the Library that you can view to learn more about this important subject.

University Library - 1907

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An exhibition that presents the American Civil War through Abraham Lincoln's eyes and examines how the U.S. Constitution both empowered and restrained his leadership will soon visit Newman Library on the Virginia Tech campus. A series of lectures about Abraham Lincoln and other programming will allow residents of the New River Valley to contemplate the life and legacy of America's 16th president.

In 1862, Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Act and created the land-grant university system. With the sweep of his pen, Lincoln made education more accessible, shaping the future of a young United States.